The Regency Underworld has interesting information in it- I found especially fascinating the chapters on gambling and on "resurrection men." But there wasn't much presented in the book about which I didn't already have at least a working knowledge. I think my main complaint with the book is that I don't think the title is very fitting for what is actually written. When I think of the "underworld" in the extended Regency period, I think about smugglers bringing French liquor in from the coasts, the gaming hells, the courtesans and the parties they hosted, con artists and the like. I did not expect to read about Harriette Wilson or Beau Brummell, and certainly not about the Duke of York. The first two were celebrities of the day and the third was a member of the Royal Family, for goodness sake- how is there anything "underground" about any of them?

I picked the book up hoping to get more detailed information about an aspect of Regency England I know little about- I came away with some more esoteric knowledge, yes, but nothing that I would call "essential reading" or that really improved my understanding of the era. Granted, the book is only 200 pages long- it isn't an in-depth treatise by any means. But in my opinion, it also doesn't really do what the title says it should, and that disappointed me.

If you are new to Regency England and find it interesting, then I think this is a non-fiction book that would be a fun and entertaining read. But if you already have bookshelves full of books on the period like me, then I would recommend giving it a pass.

Truncated from full review at:
http://aartichapati.blogspot.com/2009/03/regency-underworld.html ( )